Category: CNN Regional

By Sara Donchey

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    SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — The bushes that surrounded global superstar Bad Bunny during his record-breaking Super Bowl halftime performance at Levi’s Stadium were indeed people in costume, and three Bay Area friends participated together after answering a vague casting call.

Humberto Martinez, who has experience working as a dancer, couldn’t resist the opportunity even though the casting call specified it was not a dancing role.

“I applied right away and I sent it to (my friend),” Martinez told CBS News Bay Area. “I sent it to the group chat. I sent it to hella people and said, ‘You need to do this.'”

This time, the plans left the group chat. Martinez, and his friends Ivan Pineda and Tara Lily, were cast into the roles. Strangely, however, landing the job itself did not turn out to be the biggest surprise.

The friends said they participated in multiple rehearsals before they were approached by members of the team and shown the costumes they would be wearing. They said the staff was recording them to capture their reactions, and when they emerged with a full-body bush costume, the friends said the staff was met with stunned silence.

“We were told that this would be talked about forever. And I was like, ‘Oh my God this is so exciting!’ We’re gonna be (dressed as) something that like that is so really crazy, like a movement. But it wasn’t,” Pineda said, laughing.

The bush, like much else in the performance, seemed to be a symbolic nod to sugarcane on the island of Puerto Rico where Bad Bunny grew up.

It turned out wearing the costume itself wasn’t easy. The friends estimate the item weighed between 45 and 50 pounds and said that many people were struggling to keep it on for hours at a time during dress rehearsals.

Still, they say the hardest part by far was keeping the performance and their role in it a secret from their other friends and family members until after the show was over. They even had to hand over their cell phones to keep the details of the show from getting out.

By the time the halftime performance was upon them, the friends said that the nerves were tempered by the fact that they had seen and practiced the show some 20 times.

Their focus was oftentimes on the crowd and watching their reaction as guests Ricky Martin and Lady Gaga emerged on stage.

Once the performance was over, viewers started posting about the halftime bushes, which suddenly seemed to sprout legs and shuffle off the field. Once the friends were able to share publicly, their social media posts documenting the experience instantly went viral.

They were stopped on the streets of San Francisco’s Castro several times Monday by viewers who recognized their grass-adorned arm pieces.

“They weren’t lying about us being talked about, but I didn’t expect to be like grass you know, but I would do it again,” Martinez said. “Put me back in.”

The bush performers said they were paid just under $19 an hour for their work, but said that the opportunity to participate meant more than money.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By KABC Staff

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    LONG BEACH, California (KABC) — A Long Beach coffee shop is serving more than drinks.

At Reinne’s Place, owner Tommy Le believes each cup is an opportunity to help customers heal – and to honor the woman who inspired the café.

Le opened the shop in memory of his late girlfriend, Reinne Lim, who was killed in October 2022 in a wrong-way crash on the 5 Freeway in Tustin.

An alleged drunk driver struck their car head-on, leaving Le critically injured.

“These 30 seconds do matter,” Le said. “I’m sometimes someone’s first interaction for the day. How can I make an impact on their day – just that day – and continue to do that every single day.”

Reinne’s Place currently operates as a long-term coffee residency inside Open Gallery, located a few minutes from the brand’s flagship location.

Le still remembers the night of the crash vividly.

“I remember seeing the lights coming and I think in that moment, I think anyone almost freezes,” he said. “I think my first reaction was to just grab her.”

Though his physical injuries have healed in the three years since, Le said he continues to mourn the loss of Lim.

At the café, customers are encouraged to leave “Reinne Checks” – handwritten messages dedicated to loved ones who have passed away or who remain part of their lives.

“They all hold their own story, but I think it showed people when you’re looking at this whole wall of ‘Reinne Checks’ or you look at this whole stack of ‘Reinne Checks’ is that we all have a lot more in common than we think we do,” Le said.

The coffee shop has also become a hub for local causes.

Earlier this month, Reinne’s Place raised nearly $1,000 for Oralé, an organization advocating for immigration rights, during the ICE Out rallies.

“It was one of our busiest days on record,” Le said. “The community showed up that day. We were able to raise almost $1,000 for Oralé, which was a beautiful thing.”

Le hopes Reinne’s Place will eventually become a permanent community space.

He said the residency will continue to operate until the shop’s brick-and-mortar location opens in early spring.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Leanne Suter

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    LONG BEACH, California (KABC) — Who is Jim Birge? That is the “Jeopardy!” answer to the game show’s number one fan. He has been hosting “Jeopardy!” tournaments for Long Beach middle schoolers for 25 years, something he created when his wife was a teacher.

“I just had this idea, and I took it to the principal, and we ran with it. That was back in 2001,” said Birge. “This is our 25th consecutive year.”

His love for the classic game show began when he was a boy. His sister-in-law appeared on the show several times, and later, his brother-in-law played the trumpet in the signature theme song.

“It made me feel dumb, and I wanted to be smarter, you know, that type of thing. Because you do watch and go, ‘How do they answer these?’ and you just try,” he said.

And behind his enthusiasm is late “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek’s dedication to the game despite battling pancreatic cancer. His connection to the late host grew even deeper with his own diagnosis.

“I found out in October that I have pancreatic cancer. Inoperable, that type of thing. It would have been easy to just stop, but [I’m] kind of inspired by Alex,” Birge said.

Despite the grueling treatments, the 78-year-old is fighting to host as many tournaments at competing schools as he can until the final round.

“To get to June, our Tournament of Champions, there’s absolutely no way this would have happened… if it wasn’t for my crew and my family,” Birge said with tears in his eyes.

Birge’s ultimate dream would be for the tournament to go statewide or even national. But for now, he hopes to find someone to take over the tournament in Long Beach.

“I may have given it up when I found this out, but I wanted to finish a full quarter of a century,” he said.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Kyndall Jones

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    JACKSON, Mississippi (WAPT) — The Mississippi Attorney General’s Office has announced a partnership with Amazon and the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence to donate 1,000 Ring cameras to service providers assisting domestic violence survivors in the state.

Attorney General Lynn Fitch said an average of 24 people every minute are victims of violence from their intimate partners, and 51% of women in Mississippi will experience domestic violence.

“Many times they do have a protection order and they are trying to stay away from their abusers,” Fitch said. “If their abuser now comes onto the property, then again you create an environment where at least law enforcement will be notified. You do have some protection measures — you do have the video and it’s very important for these individuals,” Fitch said.

The Ring cameras will go directly to victims.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Jack Thurston

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    LAKE PLACID, New York (WPTZ) — A nonprofit organization is working to add a new landmark to the village of Lake Placid honoring the most famous moment from the 1980 Winter Olympics, the “Miracle on Ice.” It will commemorate Team USA’s upset victory over the Soviet Union in ice hockey and will be known as the “Monument to a Miracle.”

Volunteers are now using the attention on the 2026 Winter Olympics as a way to tell their story and build interest in their fundraising efforts for the monument.

“We’re really excited to capitalize on the momentum and the focus of the Olympic Games,” said Jeff Potter, a member of the group Friends of the 1980 Miracle on Ice Hockey Team. “Obviously, any time there’s an Olympic Games, the chant of ‘USA, USA’ always comes up and the 1980 hockey team is always at the forefront of that conversation. We’re hoping that we can generate some excitement about the monument and capitalize on what’s about to happen here in the next couple of weeks.”

A red building which used to house a restaurant called the Arena Grill currently sits outside the Olympic Center. It is scheduled to be demolished and the Friends of the 1980 Miracle on Ice Hockey Team plan to replace it with a park and a dramatic life-sized bronze statue of the hockey team who won gold in 1980.

Potter said the group is currently working to raise several million dollars to make the Monument to a Miracle a reality and establish a long-term maintenance fund. He added that the addition should create an impressive welcoming sight outside the Olympic Center.

Potter said the monument will be unveiled in time for the 50th anniversary of the hockey victory over the Soviet Union that changed history for Lake Placid. He added that the attention on the current Olympics should help the Friends of the 1980 Miracle on Ice Hockey Team with their fundraising appeals to sponsors and individual donors.

“People are writing with their stories, sending in $19.80 checks, telling us what that moment meant to them and how it affected their lives,” Potter said in an interview with NBC5 News. “That’s been a really interesting part of this whole journey is hearing from people across the nation and what this moment meant to them.”

The effort will also see the creation of a statue honoring Eric Heiden, the Olympic speedskater who broke records in 1980, becoming the first athlete to win five individual gold medals in a single Winter Olympics. Potter noted that it was members of the 1980 men’s hockey team that requested Heiden be included in the creation of any monuments commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1980 Winter Games. The statue of Heiden will overlook the speedskating oval, Potter added.

More information on the efforts to build the Monument to a Miracle can be found on the organizers’ website. Donations to the cause are tax-deductible, Potter said.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Stephanie Moore

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    GREENVILLE COUNTY, South Carolina (WYFF) — A South Carolina woman who authorities said was known for selling the most potent fentanyl, and describing it as “the stuff that killed Elvis” and a “tranquilizer” is headed to prison.

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced this week that Amanda Raye Massengale pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl, trafficking fentanyl and assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.

She was just one of 11 defendants charged in the South Carolina State Grand Jury narcotics trafficking investigation known as “Devil in Disguise.”

“This case highlights the fact that fentanyl coming across our southern border makes its way to South Carolina and kills people in our state,” Wilson said. “My office is going after the drug traffickers spreading this poison and holding them accountable.”

Wilson said Massengale was one of the main distributors of fentanyl in the case. He said she even promoted her product by sending text message videos of users overdosing to other customers.

On March 20, 2022, authorities said Massengale distributed fentanyl to Dean Morris Wolvington, a co-conspirator and friend of Massengale, who sold the drugs to Emily Turner.

The next morning, Turner’s six-year-old son opened the door when his grandmother came to their house and told her, “Mommy won’t wake up.”

Turner’s mom found her dead in her bed. She died of acute fentanyl intoxication. Emily was 24 years old and left behind three children.

On July 11, 2002, authorities said Massengale distributed fentanyl to David Harrison Thrift, another co-conspirator and friend, who sold the drugs to Nathan Flaugher. Flaugher’s girlfriend found him dead the next morning. He died from the toxic effects of fentanyl and was 29 years old.

Massengale was sentenced to 22 years in prison.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Paula Wethington & Gino Vicci

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    DETROIT (WWJ) — A man is dead after he was run over by his own vehicle at a gas station on Detroit’s west side, police said.

The assault happened around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday at a Sunoco gas station on Joy Road near Greenfield Road. Detroit police say a man had parked his Jeep Compass at the gas station, went inside the building, and found someone inside his vehicle when he went back outside.

The suspect got out of the Jeep and began to assault the man, police said. After the victim fell to the ground, police said, the suspect got back into the Jeep and repeatedly drove over the victim.

The suspect then drove off and was taken into custody by police about a mile away from the gas station.

The incident remains under investigation.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

WWJ

By Paula Wethington & Gino Vicci

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    DETROIT (WWJ) — A man is dead after he was run over by his own vehicle at a gas station on Detroit’s west side, police said.

The assault happened around 4:30 a.m. Tuesday at a Sunoco gas station on Joy Road near Greenfield Road. Detroit police say a man had parked his Jeep Compass at the gas station, went inside the building, and found someone inside his vehicle when he went back outside.

The suspect got out of the Jeep and began to assault the man, police said. After the victim fell to the ground, police said, the suspect got back into the Jeep and repeatedly drove over the victim.

The suspect then drove off and was taken into custody by police about a mile away from the gas station.

The incident remains under investigation.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.

By Ayron Lewallen

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    BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (WVTM) — Two unlikely friends are sharing their journey of healing through a student-led podcast. The two became friends through their connection to the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing.

The students at South Hampton K-8 School recorded the episode on Monday. It started out a little rocky when the school lost power, forcing the podcast recording to move outside to the courtyard. The podcast brought together two women who grew up on different sides of the Civil Rights Movement, but they said they found a way to make room to love each other and became good friends.

Denise McNair was one of the four little girls killed during the church bombing. Now, her sister Lisa is keeping her sister’s name alive by sharing her family’s story across the country. Tammie Fields is the daughter of Charles Cagle. He was accused of illegally having dynamite, but his conviction was overturned on appeal. Fields said she grew to feel more comfortable talking about her family’s troubled past more freely. She said she feels no shame because she wasn’t involved in her father’s actions, but does feel shame for what her family did.

“I was a little nervous and scared about meeting her and how she would feel about me,” Fields said. “But come to find out, she felt the same way — like she was a little nervous. We’ve just kind of gotten to know each other over the years, and I love her. It makes my heart jump when she calls me. I just love her.”

The two became friends several years ago despite their families’ clear differences. McNair said doing the podcast was important for her because if people don’t know their history, they’re destined to repeat it, especially for the students.

“I think that’s the whole point — to get to know people who may not look like you, may not worship like you, may not eat the same things you eat,” Lisa said. “My parents raised Denise in a segregated world, but I was raised in a very integrated world, and I can’t tell you how full my life is with all the people in my life coming from all different walks of life and all different backgrounds, and they make my life richer.”

The episode of the Bulldog Talk podcast is expected to be released on Thursday. It will be available on iTunes and Spotify.

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.